An Excuse to Snack While Painting

Washing a roller cover between coats of paint is a waste of time and paint. So one of my painting necessities is a can of chips.

Family Handyman

Paint Chips

Washing a roller cover between coats of paint is a waste of time and paint. So one of my painting necessities is a can of chips; preferably the plastic cans. Before I start painting, I eat the chips and then clean out the can. I don’t want any unintended texture on my walls! Between coats, I slip the wet roller cover in the empty chip can and pop on the lid to keep it from drying out. — Thomas Nolan.

You won't believe some of these common household items that actually make great yard tools:

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Family Handyman

Trash Can Twig Storage

Before I mow, I usually go around and pick up fallen twigs and other debris. Inevitably, I miss some and have to stop and pick it up. To solve the problem, I attached a wastebasket to my mower. Now when wrappers, cans and sticks suddenly appear, I can stuff them into my basket and keep moving. — Jared Reiners. Check out 23 more useful yard tool hacks.

No-Spill Oil Fill

Oiling chain saws and other small gas-powered tools can be downright messy. Pour some oil into a clean squirt- top water bottle. The squirt top makes it easier to control the flow of oil, so it doesn’t spill all over the tool and work area. Make sure to label the bottle so nobody drinks from it. — Donna Meigs. Plus: Top 10 Chain Saw Tips.

Grocery Bag Shoe Covers

When I'm working outside and have messy work shoes, I will step into plastic grocery bags and tie the handle loops around my ankles to hold them on. This keeps me from dragging in mud and such when I need to come inside for just a minute or two. It also keeps me out of trouble with my wife! — Lance Wiist

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3 Ring Bungee Holder

To store elastic cords safely and neatly, pull out the spine of an old three-ring binder. Punch out the rivets and screw the spine to the garage wall. The rings are the perfect spot to hang cords without dangerous tension.— Tim Groff. Find out other helpful organization ideas here.

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Bucket Gardening Bench

A 5-gallon bucket comes in handy out in the garden­ and not just for collecting weeds. You can load it up with all your gardening tools and carry them easily from place to place. If it starts to rain, protect the tools with the lid. But here's the best part—the bucket doubles as a portable stool when you need to rest or do some pruning. The only problem is that the lid can be hard to pry off. Solve that by cutting off all but two of the plastic tabs. The lid will go on and off in a snap. For more clever gardening shortcuts, check out this collection of tips. — Julie Abbott

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Tarp Trailer

Quick Handle Cover

My mower is now a pleasure to use thanks to the pipe insulation taped to the handle. I used to get numb hands and blisters (we have a big yard!) from the bare metal handle. Make sure the insulation doesn’t interfere with your auto-shutoff bar, if you have one. — Joe Eisenbraun.

Leaf Hamper

Leaf bags have an irritating tendency to close and collapse, making them difficult to fill. Cut out the bottom of a laundry hamper and insert the hamper into the leaf bag. Fill the bag with leaves or grass clippings and pull out the hamper when it’s full. — Norm Bromley. 15 Super-Useful Tools for Dealing with Leaves

Salad Bar Greenhouse

The next time you hit up a salad bar for lunch, save the plastic clamshell container. It can be reused as a mini greenhouse for starting seeds in the spring. When you’re finished with your lunch, wash the container thoroughly. Use an awl and hammer to punch a few small holes in the top part of the container for airflow. Then fill the bottom half with potting mix or your own special seed-starting soil. Plant your seeds, spreading them out in the container as suggested on the seed packet. Give the seeds a small drink of water and close the lid. Place the container in a sunny spot, and patiently wait for your seeds to sprout!

Recycle Water

If you have a dehumidifier, you have a free supply of water that’s perfect for houseplants. Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air and create “condensate” that’s free from chemicals and minerals found in tap water. Just don’t drink it—it could contain microbes and trace amounts of metals that are harmful to humans. — J.A. Kemble. Plus: Check out these other ways to conserve water around the house.

Tennis Racket Duster

Upholstery absorbs lots of dust?and then sends it airborne every time you sit down. Routine vacuuming reduces the problem, but can't suck out the deep-down dust. So take cushions outside a couple times each year, preferably on a windy day, and spank the dust out of them. An old tennis racket makes a great upholstery beater (and improves your swing).

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Better Bucket Storage

Stacked 5-gallon buckets fit together so tightly that it's almost impossible to pull them apart. Prevent the problem by placing a large plastic pop bottle (with top on) or milk jug between each pair of buckets. You can still nest the buckets together, but they won't stick together anymore. Here are 17 more nifty ways to store tools.

More Comfortable Bucket Handles

If you have old buckets with broken plastic handles, retrofit the buckets with new handles made from an old garden hose. Cut short lengths of hose, slit each one with a utility knife and slide them over the handles. If you can remove one side of the wire handle, you can just slide the hose grip on without slitting it. The handles work great and keep those buckets on the job!

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Clothespin Hamper

Our old cloth clothespin hamper finally fell apart. I noticed that an empty plastic plant hanger basket could be a great replacement. It just needed a thorough cleaning and a couple of extra 1/4-in. drainage holes drilled into the bottom. The plastic hook slides easily along the line, and the basket has more than enough room for our clothespins. — Ruth Kallen. Plus: The best ways to dry clothes without a dryer.